In Vacuum Chamber Patents (Class 366/139)
  • Patent number: 6536937
    Abstract: A base for a disposable surgical cement mixing system includes a support member and a vacuum source. The support member is configured to support cement within a mixing chamber. The vacuum source is carried by the support member. The vacuum source is operative to impart a relative vacuum within the mixing container during mixing of the cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Telios Orthopedic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronnie Burchett
  • Patent number: 6527430
    Abstract: A mixer and method of using the mixer is disclosed in which a closed chambered vessel capable of both holding pressure and vacuum is charged with a mixture of elastomer and materials taken from the group of tall oil, fatty acids and residues of tall oil production. The charge mixture is heated under pressure without excessive friction heat. After the heating cycle, the mixer atmosphere is evacuated under vacuum, and then the mix is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Encore Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Osborn
  • Patent number: 6528210
    Abstract: An anode degassing process for removing gas and densifying a slurry of anode mix. The process includes the steps of manufacturing an anode mix, aging the anode mix for at least thirty minutes following manufacture of the anode mix, disposing the aged anode mix into a degassing mixer, generating a vacuum in the degassing mixer, and agitating the anode mix by mixing in the presence of the vacuum so as to remove gas from the anode mix. The anode mix achieves a density of greater than 96 percent of the theoretical density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Micah R. Oertel, Thomas N. Deighton, Susan L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6527429
    Abstract: To provide a dust-free rubber mixer which does not release contaminants such as dusts generated in the rubber mixer into a working room. In the dust-free rubber mixer comprising a rubber mixing section having a plurality of rubber mixing rolls and a driving section having a motor, the whole parts of the rubber mixer except the rubber mixing rolls are covered with a casing, air intakes are provided on the casing in a periphery of rotation shafts of the rubber mixing rolls, an exhaust duct is provided on the casing and air suction means for making the inside pressure of the casing reduced is provided on the exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20030021180
    Abstract: The invention relates to a preparation and application device (10) for implant materials consisting of at least one powder or granulate component and one liquid component, which are to be prepared immediately before use. Said device comprises a first container (12) which holds the powder or granulate component in a sterile, closed-off manner; and a second container (54) which holds the liquid component in a sterile, closed-off manner and which can be connected to the first container (12). Means are provided for producing an overflow connection between the two containers, on a mixing mechanism (30) which is located on a mixing shaft (28) that is guided out of the container in a sealed manner. The first container is configured in such a way that it can he connected to a negative pressure source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Helmut Wahlig, Elvira Dingeldein, Edgar Wust, Christoph Sattig
  • Publication number: 20030012080
    Abstract: A bone cement mixing and delivery assembly is disclosed for mixing a powdered copolymer and a liquid monomer to form a bone cement and delivering the bone cement The assembly includes a cartridge having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a mixing chamber between the distal end and the proximal end. A transfer mechanism having a cap and a stem supporting a piston and a plunger is connected to the distal end. The transfer mechanism includes a first advancement mechanism for advancing the piston and plunger in unison and a second advancement mechanism for moving the plunger independent of the piston. The assembly further includes a removable handle having a shaft for attachment of a mixing blade and a quick-release connector and a release button for locking and unlocking the mixing blade from the removable handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Jared P. Coffeen, Richard F. Huyser, Christopher M. Tague, Weston Pernsteiner, Dennis A. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20030012079
    Abstract: A bone cement mixing and delivery assembly is disclosed for mixing a powdered copolymer and a liquid monomer to form a bone cement and delivering the bone cement. The assembly includes a cartridge having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a mixing chamber between the distal end and the proximal end. A transfer mechanism having a cap and a stem supporting a piston and a plunger is connected to the distal end. The transfer mechanism includes a first advancement mechanism for advancing the piston and plunger in unison and a second advancement mechanism for moving the plunger independent of the piston. The assembly further includes a removable handle having a shaft for attachment of a mixing blade and a quick-release connector and a release button for locking and unlocking the mixing blade from the removable handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Stryker Instruments
    Inventors: Jared P. Coffeen, Richard F. Huyser, Christopher M. Tague, Weston Pernsteiner, Dennis A. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20020191484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device at an apparatus for preparing and extrusion of bone cement. The apparatus comprises a mixing chamber (1) equipped with a vacuum connection (2) and has a, in the opposite part of the mixing chamber (1), moveable wall section (6) arranged to be pushed into the mixing chamber (1) after preparation under vacuum and then to extrude bone cement through an extrusion opening arranged in the opposite part of the mixing chamber (1). The invention is characterized in that the moveable wall section (6) is sealingly connected with a corresponding end of the mixing chamber (1) in such a way that the connection is breakable when applying a for breakage sufficient force to the moveable wall section (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Soren Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20020191485
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for preparation of bone cement. The constituent components of bone cement are mixed under vacuum in a closed mixing chamber, which has a vacuum connection (4), a moveable wall section (2), a device arranged to maintain the moveable wall section (2) in its initial position during the mixing process, an extrusion opening located opposite to the moveable wall section (2) and a device (9) arranged to openably seal the extrusion opening. The extrusion is performed by means of the moveable wall section (2) being brought to move towards the extrusion opening, by applying a force against the moveable wall section (2) by means of an extrusion tool (12). The present invention is characterized in that the moveable wall section (2) is set free after finished mixing and thereafter forced towards the extrusion opening for compression of bone cement while the extrusion opening is sealed by the sealing device (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Soren Jonsson
  • Patent number: 6435705
    Abstract: A bone cement mixing apparatus for mixing a powder bone cement component with a liquid bone cement component includes a bowl and a lid removably secured to the bowl. The lid has a sealable liquid delivery port defined therein which is adapted to sealingly receive an outlet coupling of a liquid delivery device. The bone cement mixing apparatus also includes a crank rotatably attached to the lid and a blade positioned in the bowl. The blade is secured to the crank such that rotation of the crank causes rotation of the blade. A method for mixing bone cement is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack F. Long
  • Publication number: 20020089893
    Abstract: A container assembly for mixing materials having a base defining a mixing chamber for mixing the materials and a cover mounted to the base covering the mixing chamber. A sealing portion depends from the cover and engages an inner wall of the base. The sealing portion is flexible and angled outwardly such that during the engagement of the sealing portion with the inner wall, the sealing portion flexes and conforms to the inner wall to seal the mixing chamber. In addition, a first locking device is disposed on the base and a second locking device is disposed on the cover. A lifting mechanism is disposed on one of the base and cover for automatically lifting the cover relative to the base as the cover is being removed from the base for preventing a discharge of material from the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: STRYKER INSTRUMENTS
    Inventors: Richard F. Huyser, Shea Morrissey, David H. Grulke, James F. O'Connell, Christopher Matthew Tague
  • Patent number: 6406175
    Abstract: A device for preparing and injecting a polymeric bone cement under sterile, isobaric and isovolumic conditions includes a cylindrical vessel holding a volume of polymeric powder and a disk agitator mounted on a shaft passing through an aperture in a proximal end wall of the vessel and extending beyond the agitator though a delivery port in an opposite wall of the vessel. A piston can be selectively coupled to the disk in order to inject the contents of the vessel through the outlet port. The device can be packaged in a sterilized, evacuated envelope. The cement is ejected by breaking off a distal, tubular section of the shaft and mounting the broken off section over an external bushing surrounding the outlet port and moving the piston toward the outlet port to expel the contents of vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: James F. Marino
  • Patent number: 6402362
    Abstract: The device is intended for the production of a flowable mass (5), in particular a filler-containing casting resin, from starting components. It is provided with a container (1, 4) holding the mass while forming a fluid level (10, 75), where agitation elements (8, 17, 18, 21) are arranged below the fluid level in said container. A pass-through mixer (70) is located in an inlet (7) of the container (1). The pass-through mixer (70) comprises a premixing containing (71) provided with mixing elements (721, 722, 723) and is used to mix the starting components. The premixing container (71) is provided below the level (10, 75) of the flowable mass with one each inlet (73) and outlet opening (74) for the flowable mass (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Micafil AG
    Inventor: Paul Gmeiner
  • Publication number: 20020067658
    Abstract: A bone cement mixing device has a canister which is modular in design and constructed from a transparent material. The mixing device further has a mixing head assembly having a crank that is operatively coupled to a mixing blade via a gear train. The gear train is configured to drive the mixing blade in a reciprocating manner including the varying of the angular velocity, direction of travel, and angular distance of travel of the blade while the crank is rotated at a constant velocity and direction. The mixing blade has a fluid passage defined therein which allows the liquid cement component to be delivered at various locations within the mixing chamber of the canister. A method of mixing bone cement is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy G. Vendrely, Sam Sackett
  • Publication number: 20020067657
    Abstract: A bone cement mixing device has a canister which is modular in design and constructed from a transparent material. The mixing device further has a mixing head assembly having a crank which is operatively coupled to a mixing blade via a gear train. The gear train is configured to drive the mixing blade in a reciprocating manner including the varying of the angular velocity, direction of travel, and angular distance of travel of the blade while the crank is rotated at a constant velocity and direction. The mixing blade has a fluid passage defined therein which allows the liquid cement component to be delivered at various locations within the mixing chamber of the canister. A method of mixing bone cement is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy G. Vendrely, Jack F. Long, Christopher Battles, Paul DeCesare, Patrick Gutelius, Samuel G. Sackett
  • Patent number: 6387306
    Abstract: In a method for molding a raw material including a plastic material or a mixture of plastic and non-plastic materials fed into a cylinder, the said raw material is subjected to a melt-kneading performed under oxygen-free conditions, and at the same time the molten material is sent from the tip of an extrusion screw towards the head section of the cylinder in straight flow conditions. In the method satisfactory molding can be made for plastics of poor fluidity or thermal stability or for plastic materials mixed with more than 10 to 30% by weight of wood flour, paper powders, stone powders, metal powders, fiber reinforcements and the like, without causing molding defects such as burn or cavitation; and also for raw materials mixed with more than several per cent by weight of metal powders or stone powders without causing excessive wear at the extrusion screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Hiroshi Morohashi
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morohashi, Kanji Shinguu, Hiroo Kojima
  • Patent number: 6379033
    Abstract: A bone cement mixer having a cartridge filled with bone cement powder and a monomer well for receiving monomer liquid to be flowed into the bone cement powder. The monomer liquid flows by gravity in a stream near the outer periphery of the bone cement powder. The stream penetrates the bone cement powder and forms a partial cylinder of monomer-rich powder essentially uniformly along the height of the bone cement powder. The powder and liquid are then mechanically mixed to form bone cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: William M. Murray
  • Patent number: 6353053
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process and corresponding device for incorporating expanded graphite in a gentle manner into a polyurethane reactive mixture and, on the other hand, processes and corresponding means for reducing or preventing sedimentation of the expanded graphite in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Friedrichs, Uwe Künzel, Kurt Krippl, Klaus Schulte
  • Patent number: 6345908
    Abstract: The device is used to mix and degas a flowable mass (5), in particular a filler-containing casting resin. It is provided with a cylindrically constructed, evacuatable container (1), the container axis (2) of which is oriented essentially vertically. Guided along the container axis (2), it also contains a shaft (12) that holds agitating elements (8, 21). The container (1) is divided into an upper storage container (4) for holding the mass (5) to be degassed, a lower buffer space (19) for holding the degassed mass (20), as well as a pass-through container (6) with a degassing system arranged between storage container (4) and buffer space (19), in which degassing system the mass (5) to be degassed is guided in the form of thin layers. The thin layer degassing system contains at least two conically constructed run-off surfaces (15, 16) offset axially relative to each other. The run-off surfaces are angled in opposing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Micafil AG
    Inventor: Paul Gmeiner
  • Publication number: 20010055238
    Abstract: There is provided a mixer for a capsule for dental restoration material used for mixing a powder component and a liquid component in a capsule accommodating therein the powder component and the liquid component for restoration of a tooth in the dental remedy field, by rendering a mixing compartment in vacuo so as to make it in a good state where the mixture does not substantially contain air bubbles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: GC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Suzuki, Shuji Aoyagi, Masaaki Kaneko, Yoshihisa Mukasa
  • Publication number: 20010053511
    Abstract: There is provided a capsule for dental restoration material, which can administer to a site to be restored of a patient with a mixture in a good state where air bubbles are not substantially contained, immediately after mixing. In the capsule for dental restoration material for directly administering to a restoration site of a tooth with the mixture prepared by subjecting a dental restoration material comprising two components of definite amounts of previously weighed powder component and liquid component accommodated in a cylindrical mixing compartment in an isolated state from each other to making the liquid component flow into the mixing compartment and mixing the both components, an air-permeable filter that does not pass the powder component therethrough but can ventilate air within the mixing compartment into the outside of the mixing compartment is placed in at least a part of a peripheral wall of the mixing compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: GC Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Aoyagi, Yoshimasa Suzuki, Masaaki Kaneko, Yoshihisa Mukasa
  • Patent number: 6322241
    Abstract: A material vacuum stirring and dispersing device includes a closed container for stirring solid and liquid under vacuum condition, making it possible to stir materials evenly, without forming material balls to enhance the quality of the mixture. The device further includes a material feeder positioned on the closed container for feeding solid or powder materials evenly into the closed container in which is placed the liquid, and a stirring member having a straight shaft extending out and in the closed container with a plurality of stirring leaves fixed on a lower end of the straight shaft in the container. The straight shaft is rotated by a rotating device placed outside of the closed container and is movable up and down as well so as to make the stirring leaves rotate and also move and down to stir completely the solid with the liquid in the closed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventors: Shen-An Hsu, Cheng-Hui Chen, Bor-Jhy Chen
  • Patent number: 6312149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing device for the manufacture of bone cement by mixing components intended therefor, said mixing device including a mixing member (1) with a mixing space (2) for mixing of said components (11, 12). A vacuum-generating device (17) is provided to generate a vacuum in the mixing space (2) for mixing said components (11, 12) under vacuum. A mixing means (10) is provided to mix the components (11, 12) with each other in the mixing space (2). A sealed container (20) with one of the components (12) is provided in an outer container (22). The sealed container (20) can be opened when it is provided in the outer container (22) to permit flow of one of the components (12) to the other component (11) in the mixing space (2) for mixing of said components (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Scandimed International AB
    Inventors: Peter Åke Sjövall, Lars Åke Alvar Lidgren
  • Patent number: 6290383
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for processing material having a chamber (100), a rotatably driven shaft (104) extending within the chamber to which is attached at least one element (110) which engages the material (102) in the chamber during rotation thereof and a drive mechanism (150, 170, 200 and 250) for rotating the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Processall, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert J. Shohet
  • Patent number: 6254268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone cement mixing apparatus for mixing a quantity of monomer from a monomer dispensing apparatus with a quantity of bone cement in the presence of a vacuum. The mixing device includes a bowl, a lid connectable to the bowl, a luer lock connectable with a luer from the monomer dispensing apparatus, a crank rotatably connectable to the lid and extending through the lid, a blade off-set positioned inside the bowl and non-concentrically connected to the crank, and a vacuum source connectable to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack F. Long
  • Patent number: 6237468
    Abstract: Vapor evaporated from plural mixing bowls are absorbed and exhausted by a box shaped vapor-exhausting chamber. The vapor-exhausting chamber is composed of an upper casing, a lower casing, and a panel provided with plural through-holes inserted between the upper and lower casings. The panel equalizes negative pressure applied to the plural mixing bowls, and functions as a filter for separating powdery material from vapor by making powdery material adhere to the panel. The powdery material-accumulated panel can be removed by disassembling the vapor-exhausting chamber, and cleaned up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Erikawa
  • Patent number: 6210031
    Abstract: A device for stirring bone cement includes a bone cement cartridge having a piston at one end of the cartridge and an elongate stirrer extending through the piston and along the cartridge. Bone cement powder and liquid are mixed in the cartridge by relative rotation between the cartridge and stirrer. The mixed bone cement is extruded from the cartridge by moving the piston along the cartridge and the stirrer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: William M. Murray
  • Patent number: 6176607
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing, mixing, and dispensing a two-component bone cement includes a first component supply section, a mixing section, and a drive base. One or more ampules of the first (liquid) component, provided within the first component supply section, are broken or cut when a lever is rotated. The second (powder) component is provided within the mixing section. During the mixing process, a vacuum is applied within the mixing section, assisting in the delivery of the first component through a filter while preventing the passage of broken glass or plastic from the ampules. Mixing is done by a pair of paddles and a helical spring rotating within the mixing station, being driven in one direction, or in alternating opposite directions of rotation, by the drive base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Stryker Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mohammed Ali Hajianpour
  • Patent number: 6145432
    Abstract: A cooking pot for the preparation and dispensing of food. The pot can be operated at atmospheric pressure, at higher pressures as a pressure-cooker, or under vacuum as a vacuum tumbler. The pot is rotatable about both its longitudinal axis and its lateral axis. A dispenser connected to one end of the pot enables the food preparer to dispense a definite and desired amount of the prepared food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Wirt E. Bellue, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6120174
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing bone cement which produces bone cement essentially free of entrained air. The apparatus includes a cartridge having two telescoping cylinders. The outer cylinder receives a cap thereon which hermetically seals the cartridge. The cap includes an outlet port in which a break-away agitator is installed and a port for connection of a vacuum pump. In use, a desired vacuum pressure is drawn on the cartridge and the inner cylinder is allowed to be drawn into the outer cylinder while the vacuum is being drawn, whereupon the inner cylinder automatically stops moving relative to the outer cylinder when the desired vacuum pressure is reached. Mixing of the bone cement is then performed under the partial vacuum thereby created. The agitator paddles provide a scraping action against both inner cylinder walls of the telescoping cylinders thereby improving mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb
    Inventors: Stephen H. Hoag, Kirt L. Case, Kwan-Ho Chan, Jeffrey B. Boggs, Christopher A. Finn, Scott B. Miller
  • Patent number: 6116773
    Abstract: A bone cement mixer having a cartridge housing for receiving an open bone cement cartridge filled with bone cement powder with a stirrer in the cartridge, and a cover which is fitted over the housing to define a vacuum chamber. The chamber is evacuated and monomer liquid is flowed into the bone cement powder in the cartridge in a stream that penetrates the bone cement powder and distributes monomer liquid essentially uniformly along the height of the bone cement powder. The powder and liquid are then mechanically mixed to form bone cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: William M. Murray
  • Patent number: 6105490
    Abstract: A vacuum meat marinating machine for products requiring a short vacuum massage cycle, comprising a substantially horizontal cylindrical vessel having a large opening at the top for rapid loading of product, said opening covered by a sealed vacuum cover during operation, and further having a hollow outer wall comprising a jacket for the circulation of liquid refrigerant. A paddle agitator is located within the vessel, having a hollow shaft running longitudinally within the vessel. Affixed at an angle to the shaft are a plurality of hollow triangular-shaped paddles, which paddles push product horizontally during operation. Liquid refrigerant circulates through the hollow wall of the vessel, as well as the hollow agitator shaft and paddles. The agitator shaft is connected to a reversible motor that periodically reverses the direction of rotation, thereby maximizing heat exchange between product and liquid refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Darrell Horn, John Lennox
  • Patent number: 6076954
    Abstract: A cast polymer integral mixing and vacuum processor system and method for delivering substantially void-free viscous polymer employs a motor connected to a mixing screw. A tube surrounds the mixing screw with one end of the tube being fixedly connected relative to the motor. The mixing screw has a thread thereon having varying pitch zones. In a loading thread pitch zone a relatively wide thread pitch is provided for receiving dry material filler at a filler input and resin at a resin input. At a first mixing and sealing thread pitch zone, a relatively narrow thread pitch is provided so as to form a vacuum seal and provide mixing of the resin with the filler material. At a void removal thread pitch zone a substantially wide thread pitch is provided and at which a vacuum tower is located in which a vacuum is maintained to remove voids formed by gas in mixed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Gisco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry A. Gisko
  • Patent number: 6042262
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing, mixing, and dispensing a two-component bone cement includes a first component supply section, a mixing section, and a drive base. One or more ampules of the first (liquid) component, provided within the first component supply section, are broken or cut when a lever is rotted. The second (powder) component is provided within the mixing section. During the mixing process, a vacuum is applied within the mixing section, assisting in the delivery of the first component through a filter while preventing the passage of broken glass or plastic from the ampules. Mixing is done by a pair of paddles and a helical wire spring rotating within the mixing station, being driven in one direction, or in alternating opposite directions of rotation, by the drive base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Stryker Technologies Corportion
    Inventor: Mohammed Ali Hajianpour
  • Patent number: 6040013
    Abstract: Pieces of meat are tumbled with a marinade in a tumbler that has a smoothly continuous surrounding side wall with no protrusions or baffles or other protrusions contacting the pieces of meat. The tumbler is rotated about the axis of the side wall and gas is pumped from the tumbler during the tumbling to maintain a reduced pressure. The gas may be pumped to maintain a lower reduced pressure for a first time interval and to permit a higher pressure, still below atmospheric pressure, for a second period of time during a rest period. These two pressure levels are alternated during the alternate tumbling and rest periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Stephen P. Karales
    Inventor: Stephen P. Karales
  • Patent number: 6033105
    Abstract: By providing a single housing comprising a mixing chamber integrally combined with a delivery chamber or tube, a unitary, fully integrated, bone cement mixing and dispensing system is attained which eliminates user exposure or handling of the mixed bone cement. In the present invention, the two chambers of the integrated system are movable between two alternate positions, a first position wherein each chamber is sealed from the other, and a second position wherein the two chambers in direct communication with each other. In this way the mixing chamber is operated independently from the chamber for preparing the bone cement and, once prepared, is easily transferred from the mixing chamber through the delivery chamber. A dual drive assembly is provided such that it may an independently rotate a mixing blade in a first speed and direction, and independently drive the speed and rotation of a feed controlling element at a second speed and direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventors: Donald Barker, James P. Seaton
  • Patent number: 6024480
    Abstract: Lower and upper covers permanently secured together form a vial enclosing chamber in a cap assembly which encloses the top of a bone cement mixing apparatus mixing chamber having prepackaged premeasured bone cement powder. The vial contains a monomer bone cement liquid and may be glass. The vial has two valve seats in corresponding ports on opposing vial side walls sealed by a releaseably secured preferably glass valve member threaded to a nozzle attached to the cap assembly. The vial ports are aligned with a mixing chamber liquid inlet port to permit the cement liquid to flow into the mixing chamber from the opened valves. The vial may be supplied enclosed in a separate package and includes valves on a valve stem attached to the package for opening and sealing the vial. In the alternative, the vial is frangible glass and may be opened by fracturing it and retaining the fragments in the vial receiving chamber to release the liquid to the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Immedica
    Inventors: James P. Seaton, Donald Barker
  • Patent number: 5975751
    Abstract: A motorized mixer for mixing bone cement for use in attachment of prosthetics and method for using the mixer. The mixer comprises a mixing chamber, a liner in the mixing chamber, an impeller within the liner, a motor for driving the impeller and programmable memory mechanics for regulating the operations of the motor. The liner comprises a basket for receiving vials of bone cement catalyst and a mixing bowl for receiving the bone cement powder. Preferably the two are permanently attached to one another. The mixing bowl is also used for mixing the two components together to produce the bone cement. During mixing the mixing bowl is maintained under a vacuum to withdraw fumes from the bone cement and to prevent gases from being mixed into the bone cement. Once mixing is complete, a U-shaped trap door releases the mixed bone cement from the mixing bowl, through a discharge tube and into a bone cement cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Michael L. Earle
  • Patent number: 5961211
    Abstract: By providing a single housing comprising a mixing chamber integrally combined with a delivery chamber or tube, a unitary, fully integrated, bone cement mixing and dispensing system is attained which eliminates user exposure or handling of the mixed bone cement. In the present invention, the two chambers of the integrated system of the present invention are movable between two alternate positions, a first position wherein each chamber is sealed from the other, and a second position wherein the two chambers are in direct communication with each other. In this way, the mixing chamber is operated independently of the delivery chamber for preparing the bone cement and, once prepared, easily transferred from the mixing chamber through the delivery chamber for immediate use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventors: Donald Barker, James P. Seaton
  • Patent number: 5947015
    Abstract: A massage plant for the processing of chunks of meat includes a container (22) which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and includes axially or substantially axially extending interior conveyors (16), each made as a hollow profile containing internal channels. Each conveyor is preferably produced by securing a sheet by means of embossments (e.g., temp-plates or vortex plates), in such a manner that a space is generated between the sheet and the hollow profile which has a connection (42,46) for a fluid for regulating the temperature of the load of meat and brine in the container. The axial orientation of the conveyors makes the entire interior of the container easy to survey. The construction of the conveyors is furthermore comparatively simple, and in the event of a leakage, the valuable meat contained in the container is not contaminated by the fluid, since the spilled matter runs within the hollow profile where it is possible to detect any spillage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Scanio A/S
    Inventor: Kristen Laurbak
  • Patent number: 5934803
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing multi-part reaction materials under a vacuum comprises a container including a mixing chamber sized to contain a reaction material. An agitator for mixing the reaction material to form a mix includes both rigid blades and flexible paddles. The rigid blades are substantially non-deflected during mixing and cut the mix, and the flexible paddles are deflected and knead the mix. The combined action of the rigid blades and the flexible paddles under vacuum throughly mixes reaction materials and removes entrapped gases from the mix. The mix can be dispensed directly from the mixing chamber. The apparatus can be used to mix viscous materials such as bone cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Physical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter S. Hutter
  • Patent number: 5925311
    Abstract: A mixture of powdered materials is subjected in an enclosure to a dispersing movement such that the components of the mixture are caused to fall freely in a dispersed form. During the fall, the dispersed components are sprayed with a binder dissolved in a solvent. On completion of the spraying, the dispersing movement is continued and a vacuum is simultaneously drawn in the vessel until the binder is in a solid state. In this way, the solvent is recovered in part. The apparatus includes a closed rotary vessel, inside of which are a suction conduit and a spray conduit, extending into the vessel in alignment with the axis thereof; the conduits are prolonged in respective vertical portions capped with a suction head and a spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Aleaciones de Metales Sinterizados S.A. (AMES S.A.)
    Inventors: Jesus Penafiel Vercher, Cesar Molins Bartra, Jose Rafanell Alberch
  • Patent number: 5915833
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for used foundry sand provided with a homogenizing and conveying apparatus in a constant vacuum with controlled water inflow and a suction point for the water vapor, the water evaporating due to the reduced pressure draws the heat of evaporation from the sand, the apparatus having a condenser in which the vapor condenses into water which is cooled and re-used, and coupled locks provided on the inlet and outlet of the conveying apparatus, through which the sand enters and leaves the reduced pressure area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Gustav Eirich
    Inventor: Ernst Otto Kruse
  • Patent number: 5882112
    Abstract: A mixing unit for mixing rubber has a mixing chamber and at least one rotor positioned therein. A drive, for driving the at least one rotor, is positioned exterior to the mixing chamber. The at least one rotor has a shaft penetrating outwardly from the mixing chamber and connected to the drive. An inlet opening is positioned at the top side of the mixing chamber. A first closure closes the inlet opening. An outlet opening is positioned at the bottom of the mixing chamber and can be closed by a second closure. At least one first connector is provided for affecting pressure in the mixing chamber. An air-tight enclosure for the shaft penetrating from the mixing chamber is provided. The enclosure has at least one second connector for affecting pressure in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Continental AG
    Inventor: Julius Peter
  • Patent number: 5876116
    Abstract: By providing a single housing comprising a mixing chamber integrally combined with a delivery chamber or tube, a unitary, fully integrated, bone cement mixing and dispensing system is attained which eliminates user exposure or handling of the mixed bone cement. In the present invention, the two chambers of the integrated system of the present invention are movable between two alternate positions, a first position wherein each chamber is sealed from the other, and a second position wherein the two chambers are in direct communication with each other. In this way, the mixing chamber is operated independently of the delivery chamber for preparing the bone cement and, once prepared, easily transferred from the mixing chamber through the delivery chamber for immediate use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventors: Donald Barker, James P. Seaton
  • Patent number: 5860737
    Abstract: A method for continuously mixing and degassing liquid, castable media, in particular components of casting resin or a casting-resin component with a filler such as quartz dust, aluminum oxide or dyes, and the equipment with which to implement the method. One object of the invention is to assure that casting-resin components are available in homogeneous and degassed form for further processing by either liquid components or a liquid component and a filler which are metered into a continuous degassing apparatus (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Eckhard Muller
    Inventor: Erhard Hauser
  • Patent number: 5857771
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of vacuum mixing mixes substances consisting of at least one powder component and at least one liquid component, in particular of bone cement. An evacuatable mixing vessel (1) has a body (4), which is movable within the mixing vessel. The outer circumference of the body (4) and the inner wall of the mixing vessel (1) form an air-tight seal. The inside of the body (4) is provided with an opening which is covered with a filter (9). The filter (9) is designed such that it can be penetrated by air but not by the powder component of the mixture of substances. With the apparatus according to the invention it is possible to produce a mixture of substances which is free of bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Klaus Draenert
  • Patent number: 5842785
    Abstract: A bone cement mixing apparatus comprises a cylindrical syringe body which functions as a mixing chamber, a mixing element rotatably mounted in the mixing chamber and a drive for causing rotation of the mixing element. The drive includes a handle which is axially movable relative to the mixing chamber and a gear mechanism which couples the handle to the mixing element and translates linear handle motion into rotary mixing element motion. The drive is supported by a chamber lid which engages the syringe body and the lid and drive may be detachable from the syringe body and from the mixing element thereby allowing the lid assembly and drive to be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Summit Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Tim Brown, David Foster
  • Patent number: 5842786
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preparing a medical composition including a first member defining a mixing chamber having a predetermined amount of a first medical component contained therein, the first member having first and second openings each in communication with the mixing chamber, and a mixing subassembly operatively connected to the first member so that the mixing subassembly substantially seals the first opening, the mixing subassembly including a mixing member and a second member receivable one within the other. The first member and mixing subassembly are slidable guidingly, one within the other, between first and second relative positions with the first member and mixing subassembly operatively connected. The mixing member is supported for rotation relative to the first member about a first axis and includes a shaft and a plurality of paddles projecting radially from the shaft relative to the first axis and spaced, each from the other, axially relative to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Alan Solomon
  • Patent number: 5833363
    Abstract: The device serves for mixing and degassing a free-flowing compound (5), in particular a casting resin containing filler. The device has an evacuable container (1, 6) of cylindrical design, the container axis (2) of which is aligned essentially in the vertical direction. Provided in the interior of the container is a rotatable plate (13), fastened on an axially guided shaft (12), for distributing compound (5) fed into the container (1, 6), as well as a thin-layer degassing system (14) which can be heated and cooled and degasses the compound (5) fed by the distributing plate (13). A stirrer homogenizes the degassed compound collected in the interior of the container. The thin-layer degassing system (14) occupies the major part of the space present between the shaft (12) and the wall of the container (1, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Micafil Vakuumtechnik AG
    Inventor: Paul Gmeiner